Problems fixed: Kia, Fiat and Alfa Romeo

In this article: Leading technical supplier Autodata helps you fix three common problems found in passenger cars

The problem

We are having difficulty diagnosing a wind noise from the front of a 2016 Kia Sportage. We have experienced the wind noise on road test but have yet to find the cause in the workshop. We have visually checked the door weather seals but have found no faults.

The fix

The wind noise you described is known on Sportage models built in Slovakia. The noise is due to an incorrect bodywork joint gap between the front bumper and the front wing panel. Remove the front bumper and the bumper mounting bracket. Thoroughly clean the front wing panel and apply an adhesive foam strip, available from Kia parts department. Repeat procedure for opposite side. Refit the bumper mounting bracket and the front bumper, carry out a road test to ensure the wind noise has been eliminated.

The problem

We are having difficulty diagnosing a loss of engine power on a 2016 Fiat Qubo 1.3 litre diesel. The engine malfunction indicator lamp is illuminated, with trouble code P0234 stored in the engine control module fault memory. We have carried out some basic checks on the air and fuel systems but we haven't found the cause of the fault.

The fix

This affects several Fiat models with 225A2.000/330A1.000 engine codes. The cause of the fault is due to an unsatisfactory design of the oil separator flange connection. Fit a modified oil separator flange connection. To complete this repair the engine control module will require reprogramming with upgraded software from the manufacturer.

The problem

We have a 2014 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 litre diesel in the workshop which is suffering with poor engine performance and the engine malfunction indicator lamp is illuminated. The engine is difficult to start and intermittently doesn’t start at all. We have carried out some basic checks on the air and fuel systems but we haven't found the cause of the fault.

The fix

We know of a fault affecting all Alfa Romeo Giulietta models with 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesel engines, VIN 07497055-07422734. The fault is likely to be due to the failure of the fuel pump (FP). Replace the FP and to complete the repair an auxiliary wiring harness complete with protective sleeve, available from an Alfa Romeo parts department, will be required. Fit the auxiliary wiring harness between the FP and vehicle wiring harness. Fit the protective sleeve to the auxiliary wiring harness multi-plug, secure the auxiliary wiring harness with a cable tie, erase trouble codes and carry out road test to ensure fault has been rectified.